If you’re looking for a quiet Mexican beach retreat, opt for San José del Cabo over the party scene of Cabo San Lucas, located about 20 miles to the south.

The beach zone in San José del Cabo is packed with high-end, all-inclusive resorts. So for the best deal on a cheap hotel in San José del Cabo, book a hotel in the charming 18th-century Spanish colonial city where you can find rooms for less than $100 per night, even during peak season. The Tropicana Inn, Hotel Natalia, and Hotel and Suites Las Palmas are all budget-friendly hotels in this area that regularly receive high marks from travelers.

Best Time to Score a Cheap Hotel in San José del Cabo

Although hotels in San José del Cabo are packed starting in mid-October for the sport fishing season, the peak season technically begins mid-December and runs through April. Expect to pay the highest prices on hotels in San José del Cabo during spring break weeks, during March and into early April.

Low season, during which you can find the best deals on hotels in San José del Cabo, coincides with the Pacific hurricane season from August through late October. Hurricanes can occur during this time, and recent storms have caused significant damage in the area.

The best time to score hotel deals in San José del Cabo is during the summer months. While you may have short periods of rain from July through October, the weather is generally very good.

Stay in Downtown San José del Cabo for Cheap Hotels

For the best hotel prices in San José del Cabo, and to fully experience authentic Mexican hospitality, opt for a boutique hotel in the heart of town. Enjoy the town square, or Zocolo, which is home to the 18th-century cathedral, an important part of San José del Cabo’s vivid history as a mission town.

The Tropicana Inn, featuring traditional Mexican decor including colonial statues, wood carvings, and brightly colored linens in the rooms, is a popular, budget-friendly hotel. Art galleries, restaurants, and shops are all within walking distance, making it a perfect option for travelers wishing to explore San José del Cabo’s vibrant downtown area. The popular restaurant and bar on-site at the Tropicana is renowned for super-fresh seafood and traditional Mexican fare as well as live music and dancing.

If you’re keen to meet other travelers, interact with locals, and access the thriving local creative community, consider staying at Raices y Brazos, a local wellness center and highly rated hostel in the heart of San José del Cabo. Book a shared bunkroom or a private bedroom for as little as $20 per night. You can join one of a number of classes held on-site, relax by the poo,l and dine in the organic restaurant.

Book an Airbnb for the Best Prices on Beachfront Accommodations

DRIFT San José, bookable on Airbnb, is a stylish eight-room condo in downtown San José del Cabo featuring a rooftop deck, pool, and shared kitchen facilities. Meet other travelers while lounging by the pool or fixing meals in the shared kitchen.

For beachfront accommodations that won’t break the bank, book a vacation rental on Airbnb. Beachfront condos are available on Airbnb for as low as $100 per night, much less than the neighboring resorts. If you’re heading to San José del Cabo to surf, consider booking one of the solar-powered palapas located right on Shipwreck Beach, a well-known surfing destination. For as little as $440 per week, enjoy a low-key, local neighborhood that is a pleasant mix of Mexican ranchers, fishermen, local expats, and surfers.

Save Money by Eating Local Food in San José del Cabo

On Saturdays, head over to the San José del Cabo Mercado Organico, located between Calles Coronodo and Castro. Spend the day wandering from stall to stall at this clean, local market. Pick up inexpensive, local produce, fresh juice, cheese-topped sopes, and fresh-baked bread.

Dreaming of octopus and mango ceviche or tuna sashimi, but don’t want to pay inflated hotel prices for these delicacies? Head on over to Blue Fish, which is tucked inside a strip mall on the Transpeninsular Highway in the Plaza Peninsula Building.

For a hearty meal, head to Michoacán’s for the city’s best carnitas (slow roasted pork). This casual, open-air taqueria sells single carnitas tacos or carnitas by the pound, perfect for a quick and easy take-home meal. On Sundays, stick around for live Mexican folk and mariachi music.

Explore San José del Cabo's Natural Attractions

There is plenty to do in San José del Cabo besides soak in the sun. The Reserva de la Biosféra Sierra de la Laguna is a remote and largely uninhabited forest and UNESCO biosphere ideal for hiking and exploring. Venture onto the trails solo, or as part of a group hike.

Explore the colorful coral reefs without getting wet by booking a glass-bottom boat. For about $10 per person, you can view fish and underwater sea life including sea lions. Pack a cooler with food and drinks and ask to be dropped off at one of the beaches near the tip of the Baja peninsula. Relax for a few hours before heading back to the mainland.

The San José estuary is one of the town's most tranquil spots and a wonderful place for bird-watching. It's home to more than 200 bird species, including frigate birds, sparrow hawks, white herons, and red-tailed hawks. Wander down the sandy beach that starts just east of the Holiday Inn hotel or explore via kayak, rentable at El Ganzo Beach Club.

Be sure not to miss Plaza Mijares, San José del Cabo’s historic colonial plaza. Relax in this breezy square shaded by ancient trees, and admire the mission church, town hall, small stores, and local restaurants in this vibrant Mexican town.